Get to Know UWBG: Jessamine County

As a part of a blog series, we are featuring one of the counties United Way of the Bluegrass serves each week.

Last week, we featured Franklin County. This week, let’s get to know Jessamine County!

Jessamine County was named for Jessamine Douglass, the daughter of a pioneer settler. The County consists of two cities, Wilmore and Nicholasville. Nicholasville is the county seat, and despite the fact that it was founded in 1798, it was not formally incorporated until 1837. In addition, Jessamine County has several horse farms that breed thoroughbred horses.

Did you know that Camp Nelson is in Jessamine County? Camp Nelson, a Union supply depot and hospital during the Civil War, was officially declared a National Monument in 2018. The site is especially significant because it served as a training center and refugee camp for African American families. Jessamine County is also home to High Bridge, which towers 275 feet over the Kentucky River, making it the nation’s tallest railroad bridge that spans navigable waters.

During the last fiscal year:

Your support through financial gifts and volunteer time help to make an impact in the following organizations that serve Jessamine County:

Agency Partners:

• 4Kids, a Faith Community Partnership

• Apprisen

• Arbor Youth Services

• AVOL

• Bluegrass Community Action Partnership

• Bluegrass Council of the Blind

• Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Lexington

• Child Care Council of Kentucky

• Child Development Centers of the Bluegrass

• Clark County Homeless Coalition

• Girl Scouts of Kentucky's Wilderness Road Council

• GreenHouse17

• Growing Together Preschool

• Jessamine County Adult Education

• Jessamine County Schools

• Jubilee Jobs of Lexington

• Kentucky Equal Justice Center

• Kidney Health Alliance of Kentucky

• Legal Aid of the Bluegrass

• Nursing Home Ombudsman Agency of the Bluegrass

• Paris-Bourbon County YMCA

• Reading Camp

• Red Oak Elementary

• The Hearing & Speech Center

• The Nest - Center for Women, Children and Families

• Visually Impaired Preschool Services

• YMCA of Central Kentucky

Stay tuned this week as we take a closer look at volunteers and an organization in Jessamine County.

Do you have any other fun facts about Jessamine County? Share with us on Facebook!